-
Chris Akoury – General Manager Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek
Chris Akoury named General Manager for the Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek
Hilton Bonnet Creek Complex, composed of Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek and Waldorf Astoria Orlando, is delighted to announce two new leadership positions with James Grosso as Complex Managing Director for Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek and Waldorf Astoria Orlando and Chris Akoury as the General Manager of Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek. Combined, the two executives offer more than 65 years of progressive experience in the hospitality industry, the majority of those within the Hilton enterprise.
As a leader in hospitality, Complex Managing Director James Grosso will oversee the management of daily hotel operations; budgeting, planning, and development; and the execution of strategic sales and marketing initiatives for the Bonnet Creek Resort Complex. Grosso began his 37-year tenure at the Parsippany Hilton in New Jersey, where he specialized in events before making his mark in Washington DC as Assistant Director of Catering & Events at both the Washington Hilton and Capital Hilton. After relocating to Florida, he took on the role of Director of Catering & Events at the Hilton in the Walt Disney World Resort, and after a series of promotions, became the Complex General Manager adding Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace Disney Springs Area to his remit, a position he held for more than 23 years.
Over two decades in this role, he continued to refine his leadership skills, overseeing various aspects of hotel operations from managing budgets and financial performance to ensuring guest satisfaction and employee engagement. Grosso has been named Hilton’s General Manager of the Year three times, won Hotel of the Year four times, and received several prestigious Genius of the And Awards.
As the new General Manager of Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek, Chris Akoury also brings 20 years of senior experience to this pivotal role, leading the hotel team across day-to-day operations and strategic efforts to drive bookings to the property. He joins the Orlando team from AAA 4 Diamond Hilton Short Hills, New Jersey, where he held the role of General Manager for six years, demonstrating expertise in strategic planning, revenue management, and marketing campaigns. Prior to joining Hilton Bonnet Creek Complex, Akoury held progressively senior positions, including Vice President of Operations/Asset Management at Friendwell Group of Companies, General Manager of Embassy Suites Parsippany & Embassy Suites Piscataway at Hilton, and Director of Food & Beverage at Interstate Hotels & Resorts.
As long-standing hospitality professionals, Grosso and Akoury are deeply rooted in the hospitality industry, possessing extensive knowledge of the Orlando market and a history of exceptional achievements, making them the ideal fit for continued success.
